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Steps

1

Kenshin has red/orange hair which is pulled back into a ponytail. The easiest way to tackle this is to use a red wig. Even if it's short, there are synthetic clip-on extensions that you can get online which make getting the wig a lot easier.

2

He has a sort of kimono-top, much like InuYasha's Cloak of The Fire Rat. It's technically pink, though you could pass off a red (or even blue or black) one in the pink one's place. If you have an InuYasha cosplay already, just use the top for that, or you can either make it, go thrifting at Goodwill for something like it, or buy it online. Kenshin does have a white under-kimono thing, so keep it in consideration when making/buying the cosplay.

3

He has white, baggy pants [known as hakama] and a white obi belt. Unfortunately, the odds of finding a white obi belt lying around are very slim, so either use one the color of your top (as the kimono-shirt doesn't close normally) or make one. For the pants, either have Lady Luck in your favor and find some or buy them. Light grey non-baggy pants work very well too (it's what I use).

4

When choosing a katana, choose a plastic or foam one. Foam katanas are very good because they can't hurt anyone and are great in cosplay fights and cosplay skits because no one runs the risk of having their eye poked out. Plastic katanas are very legit, but may break in cosplay fights and have sharp tips. If you aren't going to be in a cosplay skit, plastic katanas are cheap and good-looking.

5

His cheek-scar is in the shape of a cross with the vertical line fairly long (doesn't touch bottom of face, though) and the horizontal line short on the left side and longer on the right. You can put it on with face paint, or if you're in a rush, washable marker.

6

Kenshin is a kind, calm, forgiving individual. Though he used to be a Manslayer, he has put that behind him and gone on with his life. Even when he fights, he doesn't kill unless he absolutely has to. (If you know Inuyasha, Kenshin is exactly the opposite of him.) Though Kenshin is forgiving, he will protect those close to him.

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Tips

Obi belts are very long. Usually they wrap around your center a few times. Just try tying it a couple of times to see how your works. Obi belts also tie in bows, not double-knots. It took me roughly 3 minutes trying to undo a very well-tied knot in my obi belt on a convention day.

If you're using marker for his scar, always use washables, even if you're going to be at a convention for the entire day for multiple days. Sharpie (from my experience doing all sorts of things with them, ink winds up on your hands) tends to stay on skin for at least two, three days...there's no need tattooing yourself for a convention.

When cosplay fighting, make sure to be aware of your surroundings. Don't be like the people who accidentally kicked a hole in a new convention-center's wall. The entire convention was thrown out.

Warnings

Even though the katana's handle is black, if your katana's handle isn't that color, sharpie-ing it doesn't work. It might not bleed on your hands, but my katana bled on my obi belt the day of a convention. (As you now see, obi belts really do hate us.) Don't sharpie the handle!

If you're cross-playing Kenshin, please, PLEASE wear a shirt underneath the under cloak. If what you're using is good, you won't overheat. I've seen female cross players not wear something underneath the equivalent of the under cloak...not only is it mildly disturbing it's very important to keep your chest warm to prevent sickness, and conventions are usually VERY cold.

Plastic katanas tend to break in cosplay fights and can sometimes hurt people if swung quickly or if the tip is actually sharp, they run the risk of poking someone's eye out.